Day: September 22, 2022

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Travel and Leisure Magazine ranks Commonwealth of Dominica as one of the best islands in the world

ROSEAU, Dominica, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dominica has been ranked among the 25 best islands across the globe by Travel + Leisure Magazine. The island nation ranked eighth in the annual survey conducted by the luxury magazine.

Every year, World’s Best Awards survey Travel + Leisure readers asking them to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe and share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.

In the eyes of Travel + Leisure readers, the best islands in the world promise much more than aquamarine waters, dramatic coastlines, and pristine beaches.

The Commonwealth of Dominica, known as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, took eighth spot in the survey for reasons including its lush green jungles, striking black-sand beaches and natural hot springs.

Dominica scored 91 points in the survey, surpassing 17 other island countries.

The island offers tourists relaxation, seclusion, and eco-adventures set against a backdrop of the most beautiful beaches and rainforests.

Well-known as the Nature Isle for over 300 amazing reasons, Dominica lures largely eco-adventurers with its 365 rivers, Boiling Lake, Champagne Reef, rainforest-shrouded volcano, sulphurous hot springs, superb diving sites and the Caribbean’s first long-distance hiking trail.

Halfway between Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica is the only place in the Eastern Caribbean that is still home to a sizeable population of indigenous people, the Kalinago, who have lived on the island since the 13th century.

Based on geological activity Dominica is one of the youngest islands in the Caribbean chain, having first emerged from the sea during the Oligocene era approximately 26 million years ago and is one of the last Caribbean islands to have been formed by volcanic activity. The island is a vibrant tapestry of European and African cultures.

In June this year, Dominica earned the title of #1 Island in the Caribbean, securing the number one ranking in its debut in the prestigious travel and leisure World’s Best Awards which focussed on the areas including the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas. As one of the Caribbean’s most sparsely populated, environmentally conscious, and culturally rich countries, Dominica is fast emerging as a top travel destination.

Since the Ministry of Tourism through the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) launched its bold new destination rebrand in February 2022, the Commonwealth of Dominica has already seen triple digit growth percentagewise to tourist arrivals in the country. This has also been enhanced by airlift via a direct flight from mainland U.S. with American Airlines.

Dominica attracts a more discerning traveller looking for wellness, regenerative and adventurous travel and, more importantly, a sustainable and eco-conscious destination. Those looking to travel to less crowded, off-the-beaten-track destinations will welcome the country’s health and wellness assets, rich flora and fauna, and cultural heritage.

Some of these assets include Secret Bay, a six-star all-villa rainforest resort experience magnificently designed in harmony with the environment to make visitors feel at one with nature. Secret Bay has been named Travel and Leisure’s No #1 Resort for the region which includes the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas for 2022. The resort topped the World’s Best Awards reader’s survey for the second time in three years in the region.

As travellers search for deeper, more distinctive, and more meaningful experiences, destinations need to protect what is distinctive and focus on quality over quantity. This is exactly what Dominica offers to travellers as it continues its sustainable and eco-conscious drive.

While eco-friendly travel may be a new trend for some, it has always been at the forefront of planning and development for Dominica. With nationwide commitments to not only minimising its environmental impact but essentially eliminating it altogether, Dominica is on track to become the world’s first climate-resilient country by 2030. One top initiative supporting this ambitious goal is a switch to 100% domestic renewable energy production as a contribution to a zero-carbon economy. 

Set to be completed in 2022 is a geothermal energy plant in the Roseau Valley, which is expected to generate approximately 120 megawatts of electricity. Dominica’s geology is ideal for supporting this type of energy, which is reliable, effective and low cost.

The World Best Awards are compiled from an annual survey developed by the editors of Travel + Leisure, in association with research firm M&RR, from October 25 through to February 28, readers are invited to participate and rate the best hotels, airlines, cruises and islands.

In the most recent CBI Index Report, a rating system designed to measure the performance and appeal of global citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes across a diverse range of indicators, Dominica secured the number one spot for the sixth consecutive year, beating 11 other nations with active citizenship by investment programmes.

Citizenship by Investment programmes offer the opportunity to legally acquire citizenship of a country in return of a contribution to a government fund of that country or investment in one of its pre-approved real estate projects. CBI programmes ultimately provide a unique occasion for investors wishing to access increased business opportunities as well as for countries that may benefit from foreign direct investment to assure wider economic growth to its citizens.

Initiatives subsidised by the direct foreign investment transferred through Dominica’s CBI Programme, in fact, contribute to the island’s education and tourism sector, healthcare infrastructure, as well as the creation of environmentally friendly resorts and villas and hurricane-resistant homes for Dominican families.

Established in 1993, the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme is one of the longest standing in the citizenship by investment industry, and has welcomed foreign investors from across the globe to obtain citizenship of the nation for over 3 decades.

Contact:
PR Dominica
Nandi.canning@csglobalpartners.com
+27828215664

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Gates Foundation Announces $1.27 Billion in Health and Development Commitments to Advance Progress Toward the Global Goals

First in-person Goalkeepers event since 2019 convenes global changemakers to highlight the urgency of achieving a more equitable world by 2030

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — During United Nations General Assembly week, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—alongside governments, philanthropies, the private sector, NGOs, and global and community leaders—announced commitments totalling $1.27 billion to improve and save millions of lives.

The funding will address overlapping global crises that have reversed the progress already made toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). The foundation’s sixth annual Goalkeepers Report notes that nearly every indicator of the Global Goals is off track at the halfway point for achieving them by 2030. Despite these challenges, the report highlights opportunities to accelerate progress by investing in long-term solutions and innovative approaches to entrenched issues, including poverty, inequality, and climate change.

“This week has underscored the urgency of the challenges we face, and the promise of sustainable solutions that save and improve lives,” said Mark Suzman, Gates Foundation CEO. “We can get back on track toward the SDGs, but it’s going to take a new level of collaboration and investment from every sector. That’s why our foundation is significantly stepping up our commitment to help confront crises now and ensure long-term impact across critical determinants of health and development.”

Today’s Goalkeepers event convened global leaders and changemakers to discuss current and future efforts to achieve the Global Goals. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain; Bill Gates; Melinda French Gates; more than 300 young changemakers; and other emerging and established leaders from around the world participated in the event.

“The last time we gathered in person for Goalkeepers, we talked about how the most well-intentioned programs can perpetuate inequities if the communities they want to reach aren’t involved in the design,” said Co-chair Melinda French Gates. “A lot has changed since 2019, but one thing hasn’t: We won’t make progress toward the Global Goals unless those with lived experiences have a seat at the table. I’m proud of our Goalkeepers Award winners and the many partners from all corners of the world who are working to develop this next generation of leaders.”

Also today, at the Global Fund Replenishment Conference, governments and the private sector joined together to pledge a record-high level of commitment that will advance the goal of achieving good health and well-being for all. The funding will go toward the Global Fund’s goal of saving 20 million more lives from HIV, TB, and malaria; building more resilient health systems to prevent future pandemics; and putting the world back on track to end these diseases by 2030. Today’s pledge includes the foundation’s largest commitment yet to the Global Fund of $912 million.

“We see the greatest progress when governments, the private sector, and local communities collaborate in global health programs,” said Bill Gates, co-chair. “The commitment this week to combat preventable diseases and save millions more lives through the Global Fund replenishment is a great step forward in getting back on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Accelerating Progress Toward Global Goals
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the following commitments this week:

  • $912 million pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
    This is the foundation’s largest commitment yet to the Global Fund. Since 2002, health programs supported by the Global Fund partnership have saved 50 million lives. This funding will help accelerate efforts to end HIV, TB, and malaria by 2030 and build resilient health systems needed to protect against future pandemics. It also will be instrumental in reducing the disproportionate impact of these diseases on women and girls.
  • $100 million to help alleviate the food crisis disproportionately impacting communities in Africa and South Asia and address its underlying causes

This funding will go to:

    • The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) to support national governments in rebuilding resilient, sustainable local food systems
    • The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) to make fertilizers affordable and accessible for smallholder farmers
    • The CGIAR’s Nigeria-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture research center to accelerate work that is already supplying farmers with improved and new varieties of crops, such as beans high in iron; sweet potatoes naturally rich in vitamin A; and naturally hardy cassava, millet, and sorghum
    • Working with partners to supply sustainable feed and fodder to African families that depend on livestock as a critical source of income and nutrient-dense food
    • Working with partners to strengthen local food systems by empowering women farmers with the tools and resources they need to succeed and support their communities

In addition, the foundation will double its previous commitment to the Child Nutrition Fund—from $10 million to $20 million. Our investment will support the fund’s expansion beyond ready-to-use therapeutic food to include preventative nutrition products for both women and children.

  • $200 million to expand global Digital Public Infrastructure
         This funding will help expand infrastructure that low- and middle-income countries can use to become more resilient to crises such as food shortages, public health threats, and climate change, as well as to aid in pandemic and economic recovery. This infrastructure encompasses tools such as interoperable payment systems, digital ID, data-sharing systems, and civil registry databases.
  • $50 million to Partners in Health Scholarship Fund to attend the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)  in Rwanda
    This commitment will help catalyze efforts to raise $200 million. The scholarship fund will support students, 75% of whom are women, to attend UGHE and help accelerate efforts to increase the number of health care workers in Rwanda and around the world.

Celebrating Global Goalkeepers
In recognition of the remarkable work of world leaders to advance the Global Goals, the foundation also announced the winners of its 2022 Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards on September 20.

  • Progress Award – Dr. Radhika Batra, co-founder of the nonprofit organization Every Infant Matters, which provides last-mile health solutions to disadvantaged children in India
  • Changemaker Award – Zahra Joya, a journalist from Afghanistan who founded and self-funded Rukhshana Media, an online news agency focused exclusively on covering issues that affect the women of Afghanistan
  • Campaign Award – Vanessa Nakate, a climate justice activist from Uganda and founder of the Africa-based Rise Up Movement and the Green Schools Project
  • Global Goalkeeper Award – Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission

Note to editors

Media inquiries should be directed to media@gatesfoundation.org.

Goalkeepers Report 2022

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Co-chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and the board of trustees.

About Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers is the foundation’s campaign to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (or Global Goals). Goalkeepers publishes an annual report alongside hosting an event, facilitating a yearly awards program, and convening a global community of collaborative and diverse changemakers who believe that progress is possible, but not inevitable.

About the Global Goals
On September 25, 2015, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, 193 world leaders committed to the 17 Global Goals. These are a series of ambitious objectives and targets to achieve three extraordinary things by 2030: end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change.

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Huawei Intelligent Cloud-Network, Leading Digital Innovation

BANGKOK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei unveiled the upgraded capabilities of its Intelligent Cloud-Network Solution at the summit entitled “Intelligent Cloud-Network, Leading Digital Innovation”, held during HUAWEI CONNECT 2022 Bangkok. The capabilities cover three major scenarios — CloudFabric, CloudWAN, and CloudCampus — and were created in an effort to meet customers’ changing requirements. Huawei also released its Wireless Intelligent Network Architecture White Paper to further guide enterprises in digital innovation.

As digital transformation advances, enterprise services pose new requirements on data communication networks. First, massive numbers of IoT connections demand ultra-broadband and ubiquitous connectivity. Second, enterprise branch services are gradually moving to the cloud, requiring networks to provide flexible deployment and fast cloudification capabilities. Third, new services need to be rolled out on large scale and services need frequent adjustments, requiring networks to be agile, secure, and efficient. Finally, video conferencing is becoming commonplace, meaning that networks have to provide deterministic experience assurance.

Sun Liang, Vice President of Huawei’s Data Communication Product Line, noted that Huawei Datacom had developed the Intelligent Cloud-Network Solution through continuous innovation to address the preceding challenges. This solution provides key capabilities such as ultimate access experience, ultra-fast cloud access by branches, deterministic experience, and efficient and simplified deployment. Currently, the Intelligent Cloud-Network Solution has been widely used in sectors such as education, retail, government, and finance, facilitating digital transformation for customers. For example, in the education sector, the all-wireless Wi-Fi networking solution provides ultimate network access experience; in the retail sector, the SD-WAN ultra-fast cloud access solution enables one store to be opened in just one day; in the government sector, Huawei’s network slicing technology enables converged transport over one network and 100% assurance of business-critical services; in the financial sector, the simplified cross-domain multi-cloud service deployment solution enables services to be rolled out within minutes.

At the conference, Huawei also unveiled a number of new data communication products, such as the industry’s first Wi-Fi 7 AP AirEngine 8771-X1T, 400G-ready next-generation campus core switch CloudEngine S16700, and the 4-in-1 universal-service intelligent router NetEngine 8000 M4.

Huawei releases its Wireless Intelligent Network Architecture White Paper

In addition, Huawei released its Wireless Intelligent Network Architecture White Paper. Liu Jianning, President of Huawei’s Global Enterprise Network Marketing & Solutions Sales Dept, said that one of the most important changes to campus networks is fully wireless. The adoption of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 in the future poses new requirements on network bandwidth, architecture, and O&M. To meet these new requirements, Huawei proposes the next-generation campus network architecture — wireless intelligent network architecture. This architecture has seven unique features: fully-wireless, hyper-converged, ultra-broadband, simplified, low-carbon, secure, and intelligent.

At the conference, customers from various industries shared how they have used Huawei’s Intelligent Cloud-Network Solution in their commercial practices. Agus Ariyanto, Vice President Network of Biznet, delivered a speech entitled “Biznet Builds a Future-oriented Intelligent WAN.” He said that “Built on a flat metro network, Huawei helps Biznet consolidate its leading role in the Industry. Together with Huawei, we’ll explore more regarding emerging technologies and business innovation based on IPE.”

For more information about Huawei’s Intelligent Cloud-Network Solution, visit https://e.huawei.com/en/solutions/enterprise-networks/intelligent-ip-networks.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1904186/Image1.jpg